Board in default of owner or occupier may execute work and recover expenses. Power to levy charges on occupier, who may deduct the same from his rent. Occupiers not to be liable for more than the amount of rent due.

(1) Whenever under the provisions of this Act any work is required to be executed by the owner or occupier any building or land, and default is made in the execution of such work, the Board may, whether any penalty is or is not provided for such default, cause such work to be executed; and the expenses thereby incurred shall, unless otherwise expressly provided in this Act, be paid to it by the person by whom such work ought to have been executed and shall be recoverable in the same manner as an amount claimed on account of any tax recoverable under Chapter X. (2) If the defaulter be the owner of the building or land, the Board may, by way of additional remedy, whether a suit or proceeding has been brought or taken against such owner or not, require, subject to the provisions of sub-section (1), the payment of all or any part of the expenses payable by the owner for the time being from the person who then, or at any time thereafter, occupies the building or land under such owner; and in default of payment thereof by such occupier on demand, the same may be levied on such occupier; and every amount so leviable shall be recoverable in the same manner as an amount claimed on account of any tax recoverable under Chapter X. (3) Unless an occupier of any building or land neglects or refuses upon requisition made to him for that purpose by the Board truly to disclose the amount of his rent and the name and address of the person to whom such rent is payable, such occupier shall not be Iiable to pay in respect of any expenses charged by this Act on the owner thereof more money than- (a) the amount of rent which is due from such occupier for the building or land in respect of which such expenses are payable at the time of the demand made upon him, or (b) the amount which, at any time after such demand and notice not to pay the same to his landlord, has accrued and become payable by such occupier : Provided that the burden of proof that the sum demanded of any such occupier is greater than the rent which was due by him at the time of such demand, or which has since accrued shall be upon such occupier : Provided further that nothing herein contained shall be taken to affect any special contract made between any such occupier and the owner respecting the payment of the expense of any such works as aforesaid.